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  • Gas prices may raise city garbage rates

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 29, 2024

    Higher gasoline prices prompted Mason County Garbage to seek approval from the City of Shelton to raise monthly collection bills. The Shelton City Council in a 6-1 vote gave preliminary approval to the increase at its Feb. 20 meeting. If given final approval Tuesday, residential customers will see a 20-cent increase on their monthly bills, and commercial customers an extra $1.63 through the end of the year. Council member George Blush cast the dissenting vote. He pointed out that the proposed in...

  • Community Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 29, 2024

    Veterans, others invited to join choir The Great Bend Chorale is collaborating with the nonprofit Quixote Communities and the residents of its Shelton and Orting Veterans Villages, and other local veterans, on a program that uses the healing power of music. The choir is open to veterans and nonveteran residents and will alternate music from Eric Whitacre, Eriks Esenvalds, Eric William Barnum, Frank Tichelli and Sean Kirchner with spoken anecdotes and stories from participating veterans about their healing. Rehearsals began Feb. 27 at Faith...

  • Education Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 29, 2024

    Science grant pays for Pioneer's 3-D printer Pioneer Middle School is one of 41 schools nationwide to receive a STEM research grant from the Society for Science. The school used the $2,000 grant to buy a 3-D printer. "Congratulations to the 41 recipients of this year's STEM Research Grants," Maya Ajmera, president and CEO of Society for Science and executive publisher of Science News, said in a news release. "These grants serve as a catalyst in classrooms across the country, igniting student...

  • Getting Out

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 29, 2024

    Alicia Healey and Wes Wedell are Seattle singer/songwriters who draw inspiration from their rural roots and have collaborated musically for more than two decades. The two perform in concert at 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Germain's Episcopal Church, 600 N. Lake Cushman Road, Hoodsport. Admission is a suggested donation of $15, but no one will be turned away. Each will perform a set of original songs. "I will be backing him up, and he'll be backing me up," Healey said in a joint telephone interview...

  • City Council discusses public safety

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 22, 2024

    At a Shelton City Council work session Feb. 13, Mayor Eric Onisko asked Shelton Police Chief Chris Kostad the same question he asked his two predecessors: "What's your dream? How many officers would be in your world if it was perfect?" "Four per shift ... one sergeant, three officers per shift," Kostad replied. The Shelton Police Department has two officers for each 12-hour shift. Staffing, recruitment challenges, the K-9 program and future projects were among the subjects discussed during the...

  • Final election results

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 22, 2024

    Voters in the Grapeview and Mary M. Knight school districts solidly passed two replacement levies in the Feb. 13 special election, and the Hood Canal School District's proposed $33.5-million building bond fell short of the 60% super majority. Of the 44,481 registered voters in Mason County, 15,315 cast ballots for a turnout of 34.43%. The ballot results are scheduled to be certified Friday. The proposition for Mason County to increase the sales and use tax by two-tenths of 1% to provide ongoing...

  • Shelter-bed increase came with conditions

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 22, 2024

    When a city hearing examiner last week gave Community Lifeline permission to increase the number of beds from 35 to 54 at its downtown Shelton shelter, the approval came with a slew of conditions. No one has filed an appeal of the hearing examiner's decision. Friday is the deadline. Community Lifeline is required to comply with city ordinances and codes, including building, plumbing and fire codes. Before receiving the certificate of occupancy for a 54-bed capacity, Community Lifeline must...

  • Community Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 22, 2024

    Writer talks about BC land co-op Laura Busheikin, co-founder of a land cooperative on Denman Island in British Columbia, reads from works in progress from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Shelton Timberland Library. Busheikin, a writer in residence at Hypatia-in-the-Woods, will read a personal essay about the land-share community she’s part of and how the community deals with conflict. Afterward, she’ll take questions and open the event to discussion. “Many people are curious about life in a contemporary intentional community and there’s lots we can...

  • Education Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 22, 2024

    Shelton schools sets 2024-25 calendar The Shelton School District has set the calendar for the 2024-25 school year. The Shelton School Board on Feb. 13 approved a schedule that begins with the first day of school Sept. 4, and the last day June 13, 2025. Notable dates include early release days of 1½ hours Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 12, March 26, April 23 and May 14; and early release days of three hours for staff training or conferences Oct. 11. Oct. 21, Oct. 22-25, Nov. 27, Dec. 20, Jan. 31, March 14, March 31,...

  • Getting Out

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 22, 2024

    The British classical crossover group Vox Fortura performs at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Shelton High School Performing Arts Center. The trio's eclectic set can include everything from Elgar and Bizet's "Pearl Fishers" to David Bowie, John Legend and Ed Sheeran. The group was a semifinalist on the TV show "Britain's Got Talent." The Mason County Community Concerts Association presents the show as part of its annual program. Single-concert tickets are $30 for adults, with children under age 18...

  • School levies passing, bond still just short

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    Replacement levies in the Mary M. Knight and Grapeview school districts were passing on the first special election ballot count Tuesday evening, and the Hood Canal School District’s proposed $33.5-million building bond was falling short of the 60% super majority. The proposition for Mason County to increase sales and use tax of two-tenths of 1% to provide ongoing money to buy, design, equip, repair, operate and improve the 911 emergency communication services was passing with 67.13%. Initial voter turnout was 31.55%. The results of the s...

  • Shelter gets approval

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    A Shelton city hearing examiner approved Community Lifeline’s request to expand the capacity of its downtown Shelton homeless shelter from 35 beds to 54. In a decision released Monday, city Hearing Examiner Charlotte Archer approved the nonprofit’s request for an amendment to an existing conditional-use permit to expand its number of beds at 218 N. Third St. The City of Shelton recommended approving the amendment, with eight conditions including having at least one trained staff member on site for every 15 patrons staying at the facility and...

  • County commissioner races begin to take shape

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    Two races for the Shelton County Commission are taking shape. Commissioner Kevin Shutty announced he will not seek another term in the fall representing District 2, and Commissioner Randy Neatherlin told the Journal on Tuesday he's still considering whether to run for another term representing District 3. Richard Beckman, owner of Richard Beckman Realty Group in downtown Shelton, announced last week he is running to replace Shutty. William Harris, a Republican who lives at LakeLand Village,...

  • Habitat breaks ground for 38th house

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    On Feb. 7, Habitat for Humanity of Mason County broke ground for a new house, the third of a trio of structures in a row on Park Street on the edge of downtown Shelton near Kneeland Park. The house at 529 Park St. will be home to Christina Salt and her three children, 20-year-old Alonya Barnes, 14-year-old Trevor Johnson II and 7-year-old Larry Dee III. This is Habitat for Humanity of Mason County's 38th house. Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working with...

  • Education Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    Mutoli awarded scholarship from PLU Shelton High School student Kaylin Mutoli received a President’s Scholar scholarship of $34,000 per year to attend Pacific Lutheran University. The university announced Mutoli was part of a pool of more than 500 students, of which 133 President’s Scholars were selected. The university states the students awarded the scholarship “displayed exemplary qualities in leadership, service and academics, while also displaying a potential to enrich our campus community in the classroom and beyond.” This year’s...

  • Community Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    Northwest rock talk at Harstine lecture The Harstine Island Community Club and Humanities Washington's Inquiring Minds series continues with Peter Blecha and "Stomp and Shout: The Untold Story of Northwest Rock & Roll" at 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N. Blecha, the director of the Northwest Music Archives and an author, talks about the musicians who laid the foundation of the regional music scene before grunge, including Ray Charles, Quincy...

  • Gas prices may raise city garbage rates

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 15, 2024

    Higher gasoline prices prompted Mason County Garbage to seek approval from the City of Shelton to raise monthly collection bills. The Shelton City Council in a 6-1 vote gave preliminary approval to the increase at its Feb. 20 meeting. If given final approval Tuesday, residential customers will see a 20-cent increase on their monthly bills, and commercial customers an extra $1.63 through the end of the year. Council member George Blush cast the dissenting vote. He pointed out that the proposed in...

  • Realty owner running for commission

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 8, 2024

    Richard Beckman, owner of Richard Beckman Realty Group in downtown Shelton, is running for the seat on the Mason County Commission occupied by Kevin Shutty, who told the Journal on Tuesday he won't run for re-election. This is the first campaign for public office by the 55-year-old Beckman, who is running as a Republican. Shutty, also a Republican, won the District 2 seat in 2017. Beckman was a member and chair of the Mason County Realtors Government Affairs Committee and pointed out he...

  • Community Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 8, 2024

    ‘Shelton Stories’ Saturday at library Shelton Timberland Library hosts “Shelton Stories,” billed as “a day of events celebrating community,” on Saturday at the library at 710 West Alder St. The “Women Leaders of Mason County” exhibit is open all day on the main floor. Also on the main floor, coffee and doughnuts will be served at 9:30 a.m., the “Faces of Shelton: A Living Gallery” opens at 10:15 a.m., and readings from “Mason County Remembers” will be presented at 11 a.m. Downstairs, arts and crafts tables are set up between 10 a.m. and 2:3...

  • City Briefs

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 8, 2024

    Apply for Shelton Police Citizens Academy The Shelton Police Department is accepting applications for its Citizens Academy, an eight-week program highlighting the department’s community-oriented policing mission, partnerships with local agencies and a judicial overview. Starting Feb. 15, classes will be hosted in person from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Shelton Civic Center. The Citizens Academy will have a maximum of 30 people. City of Shelton residents and business owners will be given priority, followed by Mason County residents. The goal of...

  • Two Shelton High performers going to state music event

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 8, 2024

    Shelton High School students Sophia Nakhla and Richard Beckman were selected from thousands of applicants statewide to participate Feb. 16-17 in the Washington Music Educators' Association All-State Honors Groups in Yakima. Nakhla, a junior, will sing alto with the All-State Treble Choir. Beckman, a senior, will play tenor saxophone in the All-State Symphonic Band. The two will join other music students at the gathering and perform in Gala Concerts on Feb. 17 under the direction of noted...

  • Getting Out

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 8, 2024

    The long-running soap opera "The Bold and the Young" is in its last days. The hunky hero has self-esteem issues, the actor playing the villainous old man on the series for 40 years is more interested in soup, and the heroines are slightly psychopathic. The executive producer gives the squabbling cast an ultimatum: complete one episode overnight or the show dies. But when the director ends up murdered, the other cast members start dying. Can the cast discover the murderer before the show is...

  • Shelton creating new plan

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 1, 2024

    The City of Shelton started preliminary work on a new comprehensive plan for a city whose residents are younger, poorer, less educated and more likely to rent than surrounding communities. Demographics of the city's population was one of the topics when the Shelton City Council heard updates on the comprehensive plan development at a study session Jan. 23 at the Shelton Civic Center. In October, the city kicked off the process of developing the comprehensive plan, which isn't slated to be...

  • COMMUNITY BRIEFS

    Compiled by reporter Gordon Weeks|Feb 1, 2024

    Soup & Song benefit helps families in need The Shelton-based nonprofit Love INC hosts its annual Soup & Song benefit concert at 4 p.m. Saturday at Shelton Presbyterian Church, 1430 E. Shelton Springs Road, Shelton. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Love INC office at 109 Second St., downtown Shelton, or by calling the office at 360-462-5683. Gabe Sartori and his family will perform worship music. Local harpists Emily Hageman and her daughter Ellen will also perform. The event includes seven homemade soups, a live auction of dozens of...

  • Road to recovery on drug treatment truck

    Gordon Weeks|Feb 1, 2024

    The day after Christmas, a large white truck bearing the initials ETS pulled up next to the Community Lifeline homeless shelter in downtown Shelton. Ever since, residents with homes or without have been treated for opioid use disorders inside the truck six mornings a week. The nonprofit Evergreen Treatment Services, funded by a grant from the Health Care Authority, states that it "aims to minimize barriers to accessing substance use treatment by meeting patients where they are." Established in...

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